Unofficially boasting the second highest UFO sightings behind Roswell. Home to Canada’s largest nuclear bunker! On again, off again, Carp is once again host to the annual Ottawa Air Show! Annual destination for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast. A location for a Tom Clancy movie shoot staring Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman.
Intrigued? Well you should be! The Historic Village of Carp has nothing to do with the fish by the same name. The seemingly sleepy rural community sits on the northwestern fringe of the city of Ottawa – just a bit ‘up the valley’ as they say in the (Ottawa) Valley. Carp, though a small village and predominantly a farming community, has some of Canada’s defined history running through its veins.
The [debatable] secret building of the four-storey nuclear fallout diefenbunker.ca/english/default.asp Diefenbunker, was a massive Federal Government construction project completed in 1961. Now part of Canadian Cold War history, a tour through this concert and steel underground fortress will stimulate your senses with the intrigue of espionage, spies and covert operations. Come prepared to walk up and down stairs.
Carp, in the 1960s and 70s, was noted for the unusual number of UFO sightings. This is not surprising, since the Diefenbunker was a military commissioned, secure defense communications installation. Department of National Defense (DND) personnel would cycle through a tour-of-duty for up to three months inside this bunker facility.
For about 40 glorious seconds in the Tom Clancy suspense movie “The Sum of all Fears”, the Diefenbunker was Mt. Weather, Virginia, USA. The inclined tunnel leading to the huge steel-vault-like doors and locations inside the complex were used as a backdrop for the movie, scripted around a nuclear attack on America.
Nice being picked by Hollywood, but the real enticement to visit Carp is its local character. Rooted in agriculture, adds that ‘country fair’ feel when in June, the Carp Airport hosts the Ottawa Air Show and again in August, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA Chapter 245 ) fly-in breakfast. Both of these Aviation spectacles boast aerial displays, vintage and modern airplanes and always a taste of aerial hot-doggin’. Although hosted on a smaller scale, rivals the big heart and excitement of the Abbotsford BC International Air Show.
It’s all morning fly-in action surrounding the Annual EAA Chapter 245 fly-in breakfast. Sometimes landing back-to-back the pilots, in their kit-built aircraft, circle, land and taxi to designated parking spots. Over 50 to 60 planes are flown in during this much anticipated event. Pilots eat a hearty breakfast, fuss over their aircraft, catch up on news from other pilots, and some then take off into the wild blue yonder. Others, like August Lehmann, veteran pilot of 49 years, flew in from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to attend the annual EAA Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast. Mr. Lehmann, who flew his custom made 2005 Cessna 230 H.P. Cyclone at an average speed of 130 mph, took the opportunity to visit with friends and relatives along his flight path to Carp, Ontario.
One plane that draws a lot of up-close attention is the prop-version replica kit of the Canadian Snowbird Team snowbirds.forces.gc.ca/site/aircraft/aircraft_e.asp CT-114 Tutor jet, right down to the paint. One bi-plane had vintage enthusiasts crowding around for a closer look. Wow! Beautifully lacquered wood throughout the cockpit and on the wings. Lots of foursight.on.ca.3.htm photo opportunities everywhere you turned. It was hard for shutterbugs to keep up.
It may start with the Carp Airport, but Carp charm doesn’t stop there. It has a few more unique long-standing attractions:
1) Home to Canada’s longest running drive-in Bingo as highlighted on the CBC Show ‘On The Road Again’ with Wayne Ronstad. Started in 1954 and still going strong!
2) Over 142 years of the carpfair.on.ca/aboutfair.htm Carp Fair, held during the last weekend in September!
3) Incredible sunsets and easy access to some of the best Snowmobiling and ATV trails in Canada!
Enough said! C’mon over! Chat with the locals. Bring your family and friends for a visit to one of Ottawa Valley’s gems.
Check out additional images of Carp at Flickr.com (search on ‘Carp Charm’).
Carl Chesal is a business and channel development consultant, trainer, photographer, and avid snowmobiler. He owns BizFare Enterprsie Inc
My passion for travel is still a fire deep in my soul that occasionally must be stirred. I’ve always been drawn to Arabia and set out now on my own desert fantasy. My mom seems to think my life is one big vacation by leading groups around the world. In reality it’s been years since I had my own getaway. I can’t remember the last time I saw something for the first time. Already I miss my husband, but need this escape to recharge my over stressed batteries. It’s a deep need to forget myself, to play and to be astonished. No better place than 21st century Dubai which was like landing on another planet.
It’s my first flight on award winning Emirates Airlines with the world’s fastest growing fleet that now fly’s 55 countries. Very impressive with in-seat massage system, sandwiches on demand from the galley and twinkling star’s that sparkle on the ceiling when the lights are dimmed. EK won the Best Inflight Entertainment Award. I can choose from 600 movies, 6000 audio tracks and books, 40 games, check email and view the new “Pilots Camera” where take off’s and landings are seen from a camera mounted below the aircrafts nose. Coach class can’t get any better than this!
There are 7 emirates on the Arabian Gulf that are sandwiched between Iran, Qatar, Saudi rand Oman. What’s an emirate? A kingdom ruled by a Sheik. Dubai became a Sheikdom in 1833, but nomadic tribes had settled here 3,000 years ago. They survived off the sea in this arid land. Once upon a time, this rich but obscured kingdom decided to become the world’s premier tourist destination. It expanded at an alarming rate by adding 500 miles of new waterfront with countless man made islands. Now it is called the “Las Vegas of the Middle East” with its sun, sand, sea, snow and sex. It’s also referred to as the “St. Tropez of the Gulf” or “Monaco of the Desert” because it’s so ultra-chic.
Here tolerance and hospitality are highly prized virtues. Dubai is a pocket of freedom in Arabia, like Hong Kong is to China. And a bit of a dichotomy with its Islamic culture in an environment of Western affluence, a total fusion of East meets West. I nevertheless packed modestly for this trip with my “covered elbow to knee” rule. Still at night, there are a plethora of clubs where anything goes. Dubai’s population is 1.3 million. Only 12% are nationals who can own property here. All others are foreigners. I witnessed zero poverty and was told that Sheik Al Maktoun is good to all with free social services. It’s clean and truly crime free along with year round sunshine.
I do have an agenda on my “vacation.” I flew with my Uganda group as far as Dubai. They continued on from here to Entebbe for gorilla trekking. I’ve also arranged site inspections with suppliers through the Ministery of Tourism. On airport arrival, I was greeted with my name sign by a chauffer. He transferred me to the deluxe Grand Hyatt, an oasis of tranquility. There was an ice skating rink to the right of the lobby. All rooms are Gulf view. Mine overlooked “The Palms”, a spectacular wonder of fanned out artificial islands that are filled with priceless residences. This is near “The World” with its 300 manmade islands where one may purchase a “country.” Plans or no plans, my favored mode of travel is to let the wind blow me where it may.
My private city tour revealed a shimmering futuristic skyline. There are unprecedented developments here with extravagant creations that make Vegas dull in comparison. It seems every crane in the world is here now. Some hotels are simply indescribable. Grand boulevards are lined with palm trees. The new city Bur Dubai has the most prestigious mile on earth now. In contrast, there is old Deira area with historic architecture in ancient wind-towers, forts, royal palaces and a mosque on every corner.
My dream has been to visit the Burj Al Arab, inarguably the most amazing hotel structure on earth. This masterpiece is shaped like an enormous billowing sail and set on its own island. It rates “7 stars” with a staff to guest ratio of 5 to 1. Room rates start from $950 per night and they are booked full through 2007. Tourists are no longer allowed to visit with the $50 entrance fee. The only chance to enter is by lunch ($160), high tea ($85) or dinner (if you have to ask, you can’t afford it.) I decided to break my budget for any option but my concierge was unable to procure me a reservation on any given day. Mind you I’m only here for 97 hours! So I headed to Jumerirah Beach instead to use my time well.
Traffic is insane as the the city is growing too fast for it britches due to an influx of 3,000 people moving here each month. It is expensive considering I paid $4 for my bag of Cheetos however petrol is as cheap as bottled water in this oil rich region. My first evening was spent getting lost in the Spice market and worlds largest Gold Souk that covers a square mile of bling bling. I bought nothing but was dazzled by the endless glittering gold and diamonds. I returned back to the Hyatt at 2am. The staff had repeatedly assured me that it was completely safe for a lone woman to wander anytime in Dubai. What a delight.
After a morning swim, I had some appointments with major tour operators. There was typical Middle Eastern business protocol of courteous salesmanship and a lot of cardamom coffees. Later I hailed a taxi to Mall of the Emirates. At 5:37pm, it was the call for the forth prayer of the day. My devout driver pulls over, exits with his worn prayer mat and bows down on the street. I soon arrive to a mega-structure that looked like another city with 460 stores to make me feel right at home. This is the duty free capital of the world. Shopping here is a national pastime. I’m a mall rat and this one sparkled with enticements. There were festive tree’s but no Santa’s as I guess that would be a graven image. It was packed with people. Men were robed in white kanduras. Women were covered head to toe in black abayahs, some with their eyes hidden. Their carts were filled with packages. It always perplexes me. Why do woman here bother to adorn themselves if no one can see their under attire? I spent an hour stalking a group of 5 young veiled women for my own sociological study. They hit the top designer boutiques on the third floor not browsing but spending cash like Paris Hilton on steroids. They bought Dior, Channel, countless shoes, lingerie and perfumes that were priceless to me.
There were plenty of venues to entertain the men in this mall city. It had a spa, skating rink, indoor pool, 15 cinemas and skiing. At the north end, I see what looks to be a mirage. Ski Dubai is the world’s only indoor snow resort. Try to envision a 25 story mountain with chairlifts and ski chalets on 6 acres under one roof. There are 5 ski runs including a Black Diamond and bobsled run. Hidden ceiling machines drop 3’ of snow each day. Full winter gear is included in the nominal entrance fee. I enter for an hour of sledding and the snow maze with the children. It was 30° inside and 90º outside, the only place where one can both water and snow ski within one day. After dinner and more shopping, I called a taxi. It was midnight.
The next day I woke to rain, an extremely rare occurrence here. The locals open their windows and dance in the streets. All traffic jams. My invitation to the Royal Stables was cancelled. The purebred Arabian horses here are the most prized and the Dubai Cup is the richest race in the world.
On my third day, a thrilling desert safari was arranged. I headed out of town in a caravan of 12 jeeps. First stop was a place where we rode ATV’s, fed baby camels and saw a demonstration of falconry. We then headed deep into the desert for an hour of Dune Bashing. I got the best/worst driver of the 4×4’s names Wajed. He drove maniacally up and over the steepest dunes like a drunken sailor at high seas. The scariest part was “sliding” perpendicular down the mountains of sand. We nearly tipped twice. As I screamed, Wajed chatted on his cell phone with a friend. We stopped to view a breathtaking sunset over the multi-hued desert-scapes. Then continued on to an oasis with oryx and camels. We enetered a tented camp for some real Bedouin culture. The safari price included sand-skiing, sand-boarding, henna tattoos, camel rides and smoking the “hubbly bubbly pipes”. I declined the cherry tobacco and dressed up like a veiled Arab woman. A BBQ buffet was served under the stars as belly dancers performed. It was all like a tale from “The Thousand and One Nights.”
My last day was spent sightseeing. For my own farewell dinner, I booked a dhow cruise. These traditional wooden boats have plied the Gulf waters for centuries of trading. From the Dubai Creek, they still today export goods to Africa and India. The music and seafood was excellent with the backdrop of a shimmering illuminated skyline, far too romantic to do this alone. I felt isolated amongst the group of tipsy Russians.
Reflecting on a perfect holiday, I feel more balanced and vow to return to this captivating land of Sheeba. Dubai has magical affects and a vision that knows no end. I tasted only an appetizer from its buffet of entertaining delights. I designed some fabulous itineraries for future groups such as 4 days in Dubai along with 4 days in Cairo or Istanbul which are only a stones throw away. You too can discover a place to indulge all your senses. There’s no place like Dubai. On my return, I will lunch at the Burj Al Arab. I better make my reservation now.
Suzy Davis has traveled the world for nearly 30 years initially as a flight attendant and now with her company Adventures For Singles. She is a former Miss Wisconsin, a teacher and has a passion for travel writing.
Caribbean islands offer you Caribbean beaches that are second to none. The beaches here are sure to take your breath away. The beaches boast of white warm sand and clear pristine water. You can enjoy shade of coconut palms on some beaches while on others you can have a look at picturesque cliffs. So, there is no dearth of things to do on Caribbean beaches, be it sunbathing, or clicking the panoramic sites here or even collecting shells and swimming in the waters.
Caribbean beaches are essentially a delightful experience for anyone but before you take the plunge there are a few things you can try to remember.
It is true that swimming is very safe in Caribbean beaches but you should be careful of rip currents which are also known as undertow. It is always advisable not to swim alone because most of the Caribbean beaches don’t have lifeguards.
If you are thinking of taking sunbath, always apply sunscreen and drink a lot of fluids. You would find that most of the Caribbean beaches have public beach that could be accessed by anyone but there are beaches which are exclusive for resort guests only. And yes, when it comes to resorts, you can not always trust brochure pictures. It is seen that with fall in prices, the facilities associated with resort beaches also deteriorate. And yes, one more point. There are some places where no one would care if you decide to bathe topless but at other Caribbean beaches, it won’t be allowed.
Tour to Caribbean is all about exploration and finding your own special places. The number of Caribbean beaches is many but we are going to touch a few important ones.
ARUBA
Aruba is certainly one of the most popular Caribbean beaches. What is more it has consistently been named as one of the best beaches in the world. So, if you want to swim in its pristine waters or go on sailing to un-chartered territories or want to enjoy the myriads avenues to get fun here, you can’t find a better place than Aruba. Its Palm Beach is considered one of the most popular places not just in Aruba but also in the whole of Caribbean and as such it remains very much crowded throughout the winters.
ANTIGUA
If you ask any locals here, you would be told that there is at least one Caribbean beach for you for every day of the year. And it is certainly not exaggeration. Half Moon Bay getting its name from crescent shape of moon and Dickenson Bay are the two more popular beaches. The former is a part of national park and as such there is no lack of activities here including wind surfing and snorkeling. You can easily get equipments for water sports on rent.
BAHAMAS
It is really a jewel amongst the Caribbean islands. It is one of the major tourist destinations here. This island caters to a variety of tastes right from shops, to restaurants to water sports to a casino for gambling enthusiasts. Paradise Island (Nassau) is a major center here. If you need a little bit privacy and seclusion visit Arawank Cay and Adelaide Village in Nassau. There are a number of shacks and huts here.
Nude beaches won’t be that much of problem here. After all we are talking about thousands of Caribbean beaches here. But always follow local customs and do look out for any family beaches near to you.
James Penn runs a highly informative Caribbean website which details exactly how to find caribbean-charm.com cheap Caribbean cruises and also the ten best caribbean-charm.com/caribbean-activities.html activities in the Caribbean for families and couples alike.
Kids and vacation – trying to find the perfect option can be a
real challenge but with a kid-friendly cruise, it does not have
to be. If you were like most parents, you want to take your
family on a special vacation, some place different, fun, adventurous,
and affordable. For some reason, people forget about cruise
ships when in fact, this is by far one of the greatest choices you could
make.
Family cruise vacations are growing in popularity by leaps
and bounds.
Not only are cruises a great way to expose kids to different
cultures in
an affordable way, but cruises are also very safe. Because
of that, we
see the number of families taking to the seas growing. As a
matter of
fact, of all areas within the cruise industry, family cruises is
the
fastest growing.
Recent reports show that more than one million children
took a cruise
with the family in 2002, an increase of more than 50% from
just a few years
prior. Just 10 years ago, cruises were considered a luxury
vacation
taken only for a special occasion such as a honeymoon or
anniversary.
However, over the years, cruise lines have recognized the
value in
offering different options for the entire family. Because of
that, the
current offerings have been revamped. Today, we see new
destinations,
themes, and activities to better match the younger
passenger’s needs.
If you think about it, families run at 100 miles per hour in
today’s
society. Between work, soccer, baseball, dance, doctor’s
appointments, homework, and all that is involved in running
a family,
parents look for options that provide them with relaxation
while
giving the kids tons of fun things to do. With kid-friendly
cruises,
this is exactly what you get – a convenient, stress free, and
fun
environment for all ages.
Consider the value of a family cruise. No longer expensive,
you can
choose a number of options that fall within the budget. Keep
in mind that
the price paid includes all meals, entertainment, and
activities.
Then, with a kid-friendly cruise, special programs are
designed to
give mom and dad a much-needed break while the kids
enjoy spending time
with other kids their own age.
Additionally, cruise ships are very safe. Although some
parents still
have concern about taking kids on board a ship, you can be
assured that
the reputable cruise lines such as Disney, Carnival, and
others have
gone to great lengths to ensure every child is watched in a
safe,
controlled setting. If you have any concern over your child,
there are
many different cruises that provide beepers or two-way
walkie-talkies, allowing you to communicate with your kids
at any
time.
An experienced and professional staff is also essential,
especially
when talking about cruises for kids. After all, kids will be
kids at home
and on a cruise ship. Therefore, as you conduct your search
for the right
cruise, look for those that provide trained and experienced
staff with
backgrounds in recreation, education, and child
development. That
way, your mind is put at ease so you too can have an
exceptional time.
Jake Kelly is a writer for MyCruiseTips.com. For an extensive
informational resource about Cruises and an Article/Tips
Forum, please visit us at
